Monday

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.

But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ;

rather, serve one another humbly in love.

~Galatians 5:13~

Please continue to pray for Sharon Slaven and her family. She was able to sit in a chair for a while in ICU yesterday.

We’ve been praying for Tommy Hood at MD Anderson. His brother, Bill Hood, had a jet-ski accident in Destin. Due to complications at the site of his injury, he had to go to the ER to have it checked and wound up with surgery. Pray for the Hood-Setoon family during this time. Especially for for their mother, Kenna.

Della Casanova Ladner

November 17, 1933 – July 01, 2021

Della “Dell” Casanova Ladner was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She passed away peacefully on July 01, 2021, at the age of 87. Dell was born on 11/17/1933 in Husser, LA., the daughter of Idee Husser Casanova and Paul “Pete” Casanova. Dell worked as the head bookkeeper at French Market Homestead in Metairie, LA, where she resided for 49 years until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She was a strong woman of faith and enjoyed sharing stories with her family, spending time in nature, listening to bluegrass music, collecting and creating jewelry, and loved creating art. Her artwork conveyed her admiration for nature; many of her paintings and drawings consisting of favorite flowers, birds, and animals.Her passing saddens her family and friends, but her example of strength, resilience, and unconditional love will carry on. Dell is predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband of 45 years, Nordford “Butch” Ladner;  daughters, Fay Phelps Prokop Stephenson and Shirley Phelps Galladora LeBlanc, and her grandson whom she adored, James “Jimmy” Galladora Jr. Dell is survived by her brother, Virgil (Delores) Casanova; sister, Frances Newman (Bill) Krambeer; grandchildren, Tracie Prokop Hutchinson, Don (Ashly) Prokop, Tammy Crifasi (Chris) Bourg; great-grandchildren, James Paul Galladora III, Jennifer Galladora (Brandon) Fontenot, Jeremy Galladora, Jonathan Hutchinson and Kayla Hutchinson (Billy) May, Joanna Crifasi and Adam Crifasi, and nine great-great-Grandchildren. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at McKneely Funeral Home (110 E Factory St., Amite City, LA 70422) on Tuesday, July 6, 2021, from 11 a.m.- 1 a.m., with burial to follow at St. Dominic Catholic Church Cemetery. 

Thomas L. Carter of Amite, Louisiana | 1936 – 2021

Thomas L. Carter

Mr. Thomas L. Carter, 84, of Amite, La, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, La.

Mr. Thomas was born in Roseland, La on September 29, 1936. He was the son of late Leon Carter and Ernestine Cutrer Carter. Prior to his illness, he was an active member at Kedron Baptist Church in Amite, La. He retired as the Parts Manager of Kent Trailers in Fluker, La after many years of service. He was an avid LSU and Saints fan and enjoyed watching them on television. In his younger years, they say he was the best fast pitch softball player around. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his grandson, Wesley Corkern. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of nearly 50 years, JoAnn Sharkey Carter, and five brothers and three sisters-in-law, Stewart Carter and Barbara, Clines Carter and Antionette, David Carter and Rosalie, MacArthur Carter, and Marshall Carter.

He is survived by his daughter, Leisa Corkern and Darrell of Amite, La; one grandson, Wesley Corkern and Kara of Kentwood, La; one great-granddaughter, Camellia Corkern of Kentwood, La; two sisters-in-law, Jeanette Carter of Marrero, La, and Virginia Carter of Hammond, La, and a host of nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Darrell Corkern, Wesley Corkern, Ralph Branton, Donald Carter, Ed Branton, and Bobby Carter. Honorary pallbearers will be Scott Sharkey and Dean Sharkey.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 from 9AM until time of service at 11AM at Kedron Baptist Church in Amite, La with Bro. Jacob Williams officiating and Sharkey Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. A burial will follow in the Kedron Baptist Church Cemetery.

Share condolences at sharkeyfuneralhome.com

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 5

July 5th Readings
PSALM 47
PSALM 48
PSALM 49
PSALM 84
PSALM 85
PSALM 87

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Prayer Focus

Let’s pray for those who have sickness or death in their families. These times can be very trying.

Anna Lee

Sunday

Now the Lord is the Spirit,

and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom.

~2 Corinthians 3:17~

Thank God for this great country we live in and for the freedoms that lead to its founding.

Sharon Slaven‘s surgery seems to have been helpful. Thank-you for praying. Please continue to pray her and her family.

J.C. Miller and others seem to be making some slow improvement with Covid-19. Keep all these patients in your prayers. Pray for a slow down/decrease in the spread of this disease.

Tommy Hood is continuing with phase two of chemo. He only goes to the hospital for about five hours each morning. Please keep praying for Tommy and his family.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 4

July 4th Readings
PSALM 42
PSALM 43
PSALM 44
PSALM 45
PSALM 46

Bro. Wendell Rhodus will be preaching at FBC, Kentwood today. The 10:30 service is available online and in person. There will be no P.M. services.

Taylor Creek Baptist Church will provide fireworks and ice cream at 7:30 tonight. You are invitedd to join them. Bro. Gibby McMillian is the pastor there.

Today’s Prayer Focus – Pray for the safety of all who are around fireworks today.

Anna Lee

Saturday Addition

Sharon Slaven is having surgery this morning. I had her at the top of my list and left her off when I was writing earlier. Please stop and pray now as her surgery is getting underway. I know your prayers will be appreciated. In case you cannot place her or do not know her, she is the sister and neighbor of Robert Wilson.

Saturday

In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

~Ephesians 3:12~

Pray for Jeff Tolar as he continues to heal from shoulder surgery.

Pray for JC Miller and numerous others from our area who have Covid-19. Pray for the churches that have new Covid-19 cases.

Ludell Blanton Willis

Ludell Blanton Willis, a resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at North Oaks Medical Center in Hammond, LA. She was born October 17, 1938 in Zama, MS and was 82 years of age. She loved to read and cook which was her gift to everyone. She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church in Amite, where she cooked for the daycare and served as a Librarian. She was a Proverbs 31 woman. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Thomas F. Willis; 4 children, Stephen Willis and wife, Janiece, Ramona Topa and husband Bryan, Kenneth Willis and Sharon Broussard and Kimberly McFerrin and husband Jim; 6 grandchildren, Eric Suire, Caitlin Suire, Marissa Willis, Margot Willis, Camille Willis, and Julieanna McFerrin. Preceded in death by her parents, John and Verna Blanton; and sister, Linda Packer. Visitation at First Baptist Church in Amite from 9:00AM until religious services at 1:00PM on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. Trey Waldrop. Interment Amite Memorial Gardens, Amite, LA. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 3

July 3rd Readings
PROVERBS 30:1-31:31

July 4th Readings
PSALM 42
PSALM 43
PSALM 44
PSALM 45
PSALM 46

Today’s Prayer Focus – Decisions in VBS

As the summer continues to roll by and more and more churches complete VBS, pray for the children who are making decisions to treasure Jesus in their heart. It’s the biggest decision they will ever make. Pray for churches to encourage and support them in their new life.

Anna Lee

Friday

You have heard about Jesus

and have learned the truth that comes from him.”

~Ephesians 4:21 (NLT)~

Please continue to pray for those who are sick and undergoing tests and treatment.

Thomas Stewart

February 15, 1939 – June 28, 2021

Thomas Stewart, loving husband, father and brother went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 28, 2021. He was born on February 15, 1939 to Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Austin Stewart, Sr. in Independence, LA. He was the oldest of 5 children. He graduated from Independence High School in 1957. He married Elaine Baham Stewart in 1962 and was married until his death. He worked for over 40 years at Kennedy Real Estate Sign Company of Amite. He loved farming and talking about farming. He was preceded in death by his father, Johnnie Austin Stewart, Sr. ; mother, Rosa Lashouto Stewart; sister, Sue Stewart Williams. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Elaine Baham Stewart; daughter, Alice Marie Stewart Patten and husband Greg of Coushatta, LA; son, Mark Andrew Stewart and wife Wendy of Lubbock, TX; 3 grandchildren, Kylie Patten of Coushatta, LA, Kasie Thornton and husband John of Aubrey, TX and Hunter Patten and wife Mara of Benton, LA; 3 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild; brothers, Vincent (Dickie) Stewart and wife Touleke of Tickfaw, LA, Terry Stewart and wife Donna of Maurepas, LA and Johnnie Stewart Jr, and wife Charlotte of Crystal Springs, MS. Graveside Services will be held at Natalbany Cemetery, Independence, LA at 10:00AM Saturday, July 17, 2021. Services conducted by Rev. David Cutrer and Rev. Johnny Stewart. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 2

July 2nd Readings
PROVERBS 25:1-29:27

July 3rd Readings
PROVERBS 30:1-31:31

July 4th Readings
PSALM 42
PSALM 43
PSALM 44
PSALM 45
PSALM 46

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Louisiana Baptist Message

https://baptistmessage.com/

Today’s Prayer Focus – Sunday School Teachers

Anna Lee

Thursday

“He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of suffering,

and familiar with pain.

Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised,

and we held him in low esteem.”

~Isaiah 53:3 (NIV)~

Tommy Hood has been staying in a hotel and traveling to the hospital as needed. He goes to the hospital for about five hours each day for his chemo, part two.

Mrs. Mildred Birch has tested positive for Covid-19. Please keep her in your prayers.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 1

July 1st Readings
2 CHRONICLES 29:3-31:21

July 2nd Readings
PROVERBS 25:1-29:27

July 3rd Readings
PROVERBS 30:1-31:31

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Prayer Focus

Today, let’s pray for the children and youth of our churches as they have many summer activities such as camps and VBS to learn and to grow

Anna Lee.

Wednesday

“The Good News about God’s kingdom will be preached in all the world, to every nation. Then the end will come.”

~Matthew 24:14 (NCV)~

Rev. David Luce has continued to improve. He drove to Ochsner in New Orleans where he learned the new valve replacement is working well. Also, the valve that was not replaced is working better because of the replaced valve. Thank-you for your continued prayers for him and his family.

Josiah Huckaby is better. Thank-you for praying for this child who always seems to be smiling. He is a big blessing to many people.

Bertie Simpson Hughes

August 05, 1929 – June 25, 2021

Bertie Simpson Hughes, a resident of Osyka, MS, passed away on Friday, June 25, 2021 in Hattiesburg, MS. She was born August 5, 1929 in Gloster, MS and was 91 years of age. She is survived by 2 children, John R. Hughes and Alex (Pat) Hughes; 5 grandchildren, Christine E., John R. Jr., Tracy M., Alyssa C. and Alex P. Jr.; 10 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; 1 brother, Bobby Ray Simpson; and many beloved nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. Preceded in death by her son, Walter A. Hughes; parents, Ollie P. Simpson and Bertha Caston Simpson; brothers and sisters, Earl Simpson, Jewell Simpson, Reba Simpson, Burnell Simpson, Geneva Varnado, Mary Alice Blackwell and Ollie Dell Gore. Visitation at McKneely Funeral Home, Kentwood, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Interment Osyka Cemetery, Osyka, MS. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 30

June 30th Readings
2 KINGS 16:19-20
2 CHRONICLES 28:26-27
ISAIAH 13:1-16:14

July 1st Readings
2 CHRONICLES 29:3-31:21

July 2nd Readings
PROVERBS 25:1-29:27

July 3rd Readings
PROVERBS 30:1-31:31

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Today’s Special Request – Students attending church camps

May your day be a blessing to others.

Anna Lee

Tuesday

So if the Son sets you free,

you will be free indeed.

~John 8:36~

Please continue to pray for Jewel Kay Cutrer and her family as additional testing is done.

Martha Gene McMichael

May 17, 1942 – June 27, 2021


Martha Gene McMichael, a resident of Amite, LA, passed away on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at her home. She was born May 17, 1942 in Amite, LA and was 79 years of age. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Amite. She retired from Sumner High School with over 30 years of service with the Tangipahoa Parish School System. She is survived by her brother, Gene McMichael and wife Cheryl; nephew, Cliff McMichael; niece, Julee McMichael; great-niece, Cora McDaniel; great-nephew, Charlie McDaniel. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Gladys McMichael. Visitation is from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Services will be conducted by Rev. Justin Craft. Burial will be at Amite Cemetery, Amite, LA. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.

Pray for churches that are having VBS this week.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – June 29

June 29th Readings
ISAIAH 1:21-5:30

June 30th Readings
2 KINGS 16:19-20
2 CHRONICLES 28:26-27
ISAIAH 13:1-16:14

July 1st Readings
2 CHRONICLES 29:3-31:21

July 2nd Readings
PROVERBS 25:1-29:27

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Prayer Focus for Today

Pray for the children in our area who are attending VBS in one of our area churches. May their lives be impacted for eternity through VBS.

Thanks-you for reading and praying today.

Anna Lee

Monday

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And

surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

~Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)~

(These verses are often called “The Great Commission”, because they clearly express what God has planned for us to do.)

Yesterday morning, Pine Ridge United Methodist Church resumed their monthly breakfast benefits. It was good to be among out neighbors again and to fellowship with them over a wonderful breakfast. It was extra special to be able to give to help a young adult lady fight a health battle. The church has been doing this for many years. I’m thankful for their community outreach and love for many people and many needs. Their breakfast benefits are on the fourth Sunday of each month with breakfast being served at 8:00 A.M.

While there yesterday, I met lady who recently moved back into the area. As soon as she heard my name, she said “The Prayer Link”. I have been blessed with a new friend and a prayer partner I had never heard of before. That was one of two extra special blessings on my life yesterday.

During the Sunday School hour, I had again was able to sit around the table with ladies I love and appreciate so much. Christian fellowship and Bible study in small groups is a blessing. I highly recommend it to everyone.

The other blessing was an opportunity to speak with someone for the first time in eight years. Never give up praying. God works things out in His time and His way, not ours. I’m thanking God and praying for more opportunities.

David and I have been able to attend church again after being at home watching on the computer screen. I can tell you that no matter how wonderful the technology is that allowed us to still be a part of worship, there is nothing like being in church and seeing our church family in person!

Today, I’m full of thankfulness for blessings I didn’t see coming, but for which I am so thankful. I’m so appreciative of special days with opportunities to worship God, to assist in ministry, meet new friends, and renew relationships. Top that off with two great messages through Bro. Darryl. My blessings overflow!

Baptist Press

https://www.baptistpress.com/

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – June 28

June 28th Readings
ISAIAH 28:1-29
2 KINGS 17:5
2 KINGS 18:9-12
2 KINGS 17:6-41
ISAIAH 1:1-20

June 29th Readings
ISAIAH 1:21-5:30

June 30th Readings
2 KINGS 16:19-20
2 CHRONICLES 28:26-27
ISAIAH 13:1-16:14

July 1st Readings
2 CHRONICLES 29:3-31:21

Please continue to pray for those on your personal prayer list. If you don’t have one, make one. You’ll be blessed!

Anna Lee

Sunday

I keep my eyes always on the LORD.

With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

~Psalm 16:8~

About a week and a half ago, a friend requested an unspoken request. Please continue praying for that need.

We had a very productive Operation Christmas Child workday yesterday. Thanks to everyone who helped work and to clean up at the end. We had faithful workers and at least six people for the first time this year.

Our July workday will be on July 24th. There are always a variety of activities, so no matter your skills or interests, you help is greatly appreciated.

Read the Bible Chronologically in 2021 – July 27

June 27th Readings
HOSEA 9:1-14:9

June 28th Readings
ISAIAH 28:1-29
2 KINGS 17:5
2 KINGS 18:9-12
2 KINGS 17:6-41
ISAIAH 1:1-20

June 29th Readings
ISAIAH 1:21-5:30

Today’s Prayer Request – Children and youth from our area churches who have attended a church camp this summer or will be doing so soon

Church services are available in person at all churches that I know of and online in many of them. This is the Lord’s Day.

Anna Lee